Four County Catholic February 2015

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Volume 27 Number 2

February 2015

Made Possible in part through your generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal

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Four County Catholic February 2015

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Do not be afraid.

Respond to His love.

- One of the central messages of the 2015 SEEK Conference sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, providing a unique group experience to help discover the love God calls us to have and to share.

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atholic at c Serving the Counties of Middlesex New London Tolland Windham & Fishers Island NY

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We are not alone in taking a stand. Our generation does have a voice that is being heard.

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- Shannon Foley, SBS Class of 2015, describing her experience at the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

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- Pope Francis challenging us to care for our brothers & sisters as noted by Christina Capecchi in her account of recently deceased Irena Sendler, a hero among us who saved thousands of lives from death in concentration camps during WWII.

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If I had to order my priorities, they would be God, Country, Family. There might be some debate on where those last two fall.

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- Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, in his own words, self-reflecting on the moral foundation of a soldier as depicted in the movie, American Sniper.

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Pro life demonstrators from around the Country gathered, January 22, 2015, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for an annual march coinciding with a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

The Most Reverend

Michael R. Cote, D.D.

Bishop of Norwich

United in Purpose and Strength of Faith My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: In my most recent column at the outset of the New Year, I referenced an increasingly “weary world.” In the weeks that have followed, violent events in Europe, the Middle East and Africa among other corners of the world have continued to wear heavily on all of us as relatives of the same human family. It is hard not to take a moment in this space or in our daily conversations to reflect on these deeply disturbing events that are being perpetrated by evil forces in the false name of religion.

It did not go unnoticed that, last month, on the 16th day of January, President Obama declared an official Religious Freedom Day. In his declaration, the President noted that “history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people -- including the freedom of religion - are ultimately more just, more peaceful, and more successful.”

In the face of an unprecedented wave of barbarism and intimida-

tion by fanatic extremists, we must value more than ever the right to freely and fully practice our faith here at home and around the world.

World leadership against the deadly scourge of extremists is beginning to emerge.

French President Francois Hollande, following the horrific loss of life in Paris last month, assured the world that France would not compromise on its commitment to freedom and democracy. He emphasized that Muslims were the “first victims of fanaticism, fundamentalism and intolerance.” It is France’s intention, he proclaimed, to protect the right of all faiths to practice freedom of worship, including Muslims who are endangered and misrepresented by the violent acts of the radicals who must be stopped.

There is solidarity building among nations to respect and

protect all religions and to identify, isolate and defeat the false and dangerous ideology of hateful extremism -- loosely and

some when he recently cautioned against overtly insulting religions. His comments were in no way an indictment of free expression, but a prudent message from a man of faith acknowledging that such insults can stir the worst in human reactions. As the Holy Father expressed it, “Prudence is the virtue that regulates human relations.” His call for prudence in such a volatile time and climate is the voice of both reason and holiness. We are united in purpose and strength of faith with the Holy Father.

As the Vatican and world leaders join together to recognize and justly confront the evil threatening the entire world community, we in our local parishes can join together in solidarity and prayer.

Our faith teaches us that the power of prayer is mighty and is capable of moving mountains.

We must ensure that in our

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

fraudulently associated with Islam.

One of the world’s champions of religious freedom and good will is, of course, His Holiness Pope Francis. The Holy Father, who has been outspoken in defending religious freedom and closing divides among all faiths, may have been misunderstood by

daily lives, we do everything possible to foster peace. It all starts at home. The building of a world peace begins with our being just and peaceful with our neighbors.

This is where faith and action meet. This is where the foundation is laid for a peaceful society as an example to the worldwide community.

Our faith further teaches us that we live in hope. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12. We are firmly guided by the Light of Christ, a Light brighter than any darkness that has descended on the world. We will overcome this moment in history holding onto one another, and we will stand amazed at the difference our prayer intentions and peaceful relationships can make. We give praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ during this horrific trial and always.

Sincerely yours in Christ’s love, Bishop Michael R. Cote

Unidos en Propósito y Fuerza en la fe Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas: En mi más reciente columna al principio del nuevo año. Hice referencia a un “mundo cada vez más cansado.” En las semanas que siguieron, hechos de violencia en Europa, Oriente Medio y África entre otros rincones del mundo han seguido desgastando fuertemente a todos nosotros como familiares de la misma familia humana. Es difícil no tomar un momento en este espacio o en nuestras conversaciones cotidianas para reflexionar sobre estos acontecimientos profunda-

mente inquietantes que están siendo perpetrados por las fuerzas del mal en el falso nombre de la religión.

No pasó inadvertido el mes pasado, que el día 16 de enero, el Presidente Obama declaro el Día oficial de la Libertad Religiosa. En su declaración, el presidente de la República observo que “La historia demuestra que las naciones que defienden los derechos de su pueblo, así como la libertad de religión, son en última instancia, más justas, más pacíficas y más satisfactorias.” En la

faz de un movimiento sin precedentes de barbarie e intimidación de los extremistas fanáticos, debemos más que nunca valorar el derecho de poner en práctica nuestra fe aquí en nuestro país y en el mundo.

Está comenzando a surgir Liderazgo Mundial contra el flagelo mortal de los extremistas. El Presidente francés Francois Hollande, tras las terribles pérdidas de vidas en Paris el mes pasado, aseguró al mundo que Francia no permitiría arriesgar su compromiso con la libertad y la democracia. El hizo hincapié que

los musulmanes son las “primeras víctimas del fanatismo, fundamentalismo y la intolerancia.” Él proclamo que es la intención de Francia, proteger el derecho de todas las religiones para practicar la libertad de culto, incluyendo a los musulmanes que están en peligro y distorsionados por los actos violentos de los radicales que deben ser detenidos. Se ha construido solidaridad entre las naciones para respetar y proteger todas las religiones y para identificar, aislar y derrotar a las falsas y peligrosas ideologías del

detestable extremismo, ilógicamente y fraudulentamente asociado con el Islam.

Uno de los defensores de la libertad religiosa y de la buena voluntad es, por supuesto, Su Santidad el Papa Francisco. El Santo Padre quien ha sido categórico en la defensa de la libertad religiosa y de cerrar brechas entre todas las religiones, puede haber sido mal interpretado por algunos, cuando recientemente advirtió abiertaUnidos en Propósito y Fuerza en la fe

Continued on page 4

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Unidos en Propósito y Fuerza en la fe Continued from page 3 mente en contra de excesivos insultos a religiones. Sus comentarios fueron en modo alguno una acusación a la libertad de expresión, pero un mensaje de un hombre de fe prudente que reconoce que esos insultos pueden suscitar la peor de

las reacciones humanas. Como el Santo Padre lo expreso “la prudencia es la virtud que regula las relaciones humanas.’ Su llamado a la prudencia en tal tiempo y ambiente inestable es la voz de la razón y de la santidad. Estamos unidos en el

propósito y la fuerza de la fe con el Santo Padre.

A medida que el Vaticano y los líderes del mundo se reúnen para reconocer y enfrentar el mal justamente amenazando a la comunidad del mundo, en nuestra Iglesia local pueden unirse en solidaridad y en oración. Nuestra fe nos enseña que el poder de la oración es poderoso y es capaz de mover montañas.

Debemos garantizar que en nuestra vida diaria, hagamos todo lo

posible para promover la paz. Todo comienza en casa. El construir una paz mundial empieza con el hecho de ser justos y pacíficos con nuestros vecinos. Esto es donde la fe y la acción se encuentran. Este es el lugar donde se sientan las bases para una sociedad pacifica como un ejemplo para la comunidad mundial.

Nuestra fe nos enseña que vivimos en la esperanza. “Alegres en la esperanza, pacientes en la aflicción y fieles en la oración.’ Romanos 12:12. Estamos firmemente guiados por la Luz de Cristo, una luz más brillante que cualquier oscuri-

dad que ha descendido en el mundo. Superaremos este momento en la historia aferrándonos los unos a otros, y nos mantendremos sorprendidos con la diferencia que pueden hacer nuestras intenciones de oración y las relaciones pacíficas. Bendecimos a nuestro Señor y Salvador, Jesucristo durante esta terrible aflicción y siempre.

Atentamente en el amor de Cristo, Obispo Michael R. Cote Translated by Paulina Angulo

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Director of Priestly Vocations

Reverend Gregory Galvin

What Moves You in Your Life and Faith?

Have you ever truly allowed Christ to move into your heart?

Tried to really see what he wants of you?

You have to move to encounter Him in a new way. Try that this year. Take a silent retreat, go on an ACTS retreat, and try praying with Holy Scripture for 5-10 minutes a day. Try reading a spiritual book, or the catechism, or a book on the saints.

These are among the questions and spirited discussions raised at the SEEK Conference last month in Nashville, sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

In a reminder from the Conference organizers, “much of the theme of SEEK2015 was drawn from...Pope Francis in the following quote, ‘I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security’.”

We cannot stay in a comfortable and secure place with our faith forever. We need to take a risk and step out into the streets, into the unknown.

This is exactly what the over nine thousand college students who attended SEEK2015 did. They stepped out of their comfort zone and chose to move towards Christ!

The changes that began to take place in the hearts of these college men and women began slowly, yet a growing evidence of change was definitely in the air all around the Grand Old Opry Convention center as the first five days of the New Year went by.

Imagine, attending daily Mass with ten thousand people for five straight days. Opportunities to listen to five different bishops and archbishops preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, directly telling you that Christ is calling you to greatness and the Church is here to assist you in

every way. Imagine, praying the Mass with ten thousand people your own age, singing sacred music that truly lifts your heart and mind to God. Imagine being in a room where Christ, present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity is present to all ten thousand; and right across the hall, the opportunity to have your sins forgiven in the sacrament of reconciliation by nearly three hundred of His priests and several bishops!

Imagine sharing five days with an opportunity to speak and pray with religious men and women from many different religious orders, diocesan priests, bishops and many of the guest speakers who spent the five days with us.

The message throughout the five days was positive, encouraging, and strong. Move towards Christ by choosing to move towards His Love. His love is transforming. His love is all we need to find real peace in our lives. His love will open up for us the greatness we are made for.

His love is what we are truly called to live and it will move us to do great things for others.

Do not be afraid. Respond to His love. Step out of the comfort zone the world offers to something so much more. Experience true happiness and most importantly invite a friend, a family member, a class mate, a work associate, a stranger to discover the love God calls us to have and to share.

During these five days, the students and other attendees had the opportunity to hear from national speakers such as Fr. Mike Schmitz, FOCUS founder Curtis Martin, former America’s Next Top Model,

Leah Darrow, the Executive Vice President for Life Teen International, Mark Hart, the executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Dr. Jonathan Reyes and many more!

Each morning after Mass, attendees were separated for very specific talks geared toward them as men or as women. In the afternoon following lunch break, the college students had the opportunity to choose between 7-8 different presenters during the first session, and then to choose a second speaker for the late afternoon session. Topics covered during the five days included: How to make a confession that will change your life; Facing the greatest problem off our time; Relativism, GoodGod – BadMedia; Finding Forgiveness in the face of Tragedy; Relationships between men and women; Why we need religion for Authentic Relationships; College dating 101, Taking Down Goliath (Men Only); Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist; We don’t Pray as We Ought; How Conversions Happen; Take a Risk to Take a Stand, and many others!

How does an event like this get accomplished? Great commitment, great organization, lots of patience on the part of those running it, many prayers, much of God’s Grace and many, many sponsors! For example 10 different Catholic schools were represented; 7 apostolates of Faith, 7 media apostolates, 19 Catholic work apostolates and 43 different Religious Orders represented!

Please pray for these college men

and women as they return back to their campuses for the spring semester. They are each returning to school having experienced something that many of their families and friends at college have never experienced. Some of them are going through difficult spiritual journeys with Christ walking with them now. Some are truly on fire with a renewed energy and commitment to risking more for Christ in their life. Others may have had such a unique experience that they are more sure now than they ever have been of why God created them for this time and place in the world and are now surer of what their vocation is. Pray that each of them no matter where on their journey they may be,

that they be not afraid to continue to step towards Christ, to continue to seek Christ and begin to open themselves to being an instrument that brings others to Christ and by the way they choose to live their lives, bring Christ to others.

The next SEEK experience will be in 2017 in San Antonio Texas! If you have a son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandson, granddaughter or even a friend who may be in college during the next few years and you want them to have an opportunity to experience SEEK2017, simply call the Vocation Office to speak with me regarding this very unique opportunity.

God bless your year and your life with His Peace!

Pope Francis @Pontifex • Recent Tweet Practicing charity is the best way to evangelize.

For the Answer go to Page 20.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Saturday, February 14 Valentine’s Day

Wednesday, February 18 Ash Wednesday

Friday, Feb. 20 – March 27 St. Joseph’s Annual Lenten Fish Fry Back by popular demand! St. Joseph’s 2nd annual Lenten Fish Fry starts on Friday February 20th and runs every Friday thru March 27th from 4:00 to 7:00pm at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall on Rt. 154 in Chester. Dinners are $12.00 for Adults and there is a children’s meal available for $5.00. All dinners include beverage and dessert. Aside from the fried fish, baked fish and salad are also available. Come join us!

Friday-Sat., Feb. 20 & 21 Healing and Deliverance in the Word Retreat with Dr. D. Jayanand Dr. D. Jayanand is an international preacher who preaches and conducts healing services in the context of Scripture and Holy Spirit Power. Come and be refreshed in Jesus’ Word, at My Father’s House Retreat Center, 39 N Moodus Rd, Moodus. On Friday the retreat will start at 7:00pm, and on Saturday will start with Mass at 8:30am followed by breakfast and talk. The cost is $20.00 per day, or $75.00

IMMACULATA RETREAT HOUSE A Ministry of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate 289 Windham Road, Rte. 32 Willimantic, Connecticut

SENIOR RENEWAL DAY: Father Roger Couture, OMI, invites all seniors to join him for this month’s program entitled “The Parable of the Sower and the Seeds.” on Wednesday, February 11, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Offering is $10.00 and includes lunch.

MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT: March 13-15, 2015 - Plan now to attend from March 13-15, 2015. Renew the excitement and joy in your Sacramental marriage. Over 70 couples have benefited from the experi-ence of a weekend away devoted to marriage. Presenters include: Fr. Ron Meyer, O.M.I. and three married couples. Grace is unlimited, but space is limited, so register early.

DAY ON THE HILL: Do you feel the need to “get away?” Come and spend that “get away day” on the Hill at Immaculata.

On the first Wednesday of each month, come and spend the day alone with your God. Lunch is included and the fee is $15.00 per person.

To register or for more information: Phone: 860-423-8484 E-mail: info@immaculataretreat.org

for both Friday’s Healing Retreat and Saturday’s Communion Breakfast- includes overnight accommodations. For more information or to register please call Dottie or Joanie 860-873-1906.

Sun.-Tues., Feb. 22, 23, 24 Parish Mission of Renewal and Evangelization Held at St. Joseph Church, Chester with Our Lady of Sorrows, Essex at 7:00pm -Father Ray Introvigne and Judith Hughes. For more information please call Spiritual Renewal at 860-887-0702.

Saturday, February 28 Life in the Spirit Seminar (A Holy Spirit Experience) At St. Joseph Hall, Chester, from 9:00am-4:00pm. For more information please call Spiritual Renewal at 860-887-0702.

Sunday, March 1 St. Bernard Church Parish Lenten Mission with Steve Angrisano Join Steve Angrisano, one of the most effective and versatile ministry leaders in the Church today.

Those who are young (and young at heart) embrace the passionate message of faith, hope and love woven throughout his music and storytelling. Always rooted in a spirit of humility and faithfulness, Steve has a keen in-

tuition regarding the needs of any audience and engages them with his unique blend of humor, song, story and interaction. Steve meets with Youth – Sunday, March 1, at 7:00pm. Lenten Mission for All Ages Monday– Wednesday, March 2 – 4, at 7:00pm. St. Bernard Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace, Rockville.

For more information, contact the parish office at 860-8750753 ext. 100 or pastoral@saintbernardchurch.org. A free-will offering will be taken each evening.

with members of the Hartford and New London Divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). Mass begins at 10:30am.

Many participants plan to stay on after the Mass to march in the 2nd annual Norwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for 1:00pm later that day. All are invited to attend.

Saturday, March 7, 2015 Formation day for Current or Future Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion St. John Parish, Middletown.

Basic focus of the day is the diocesan guidelines for these ministries.

Sunday, March 8 Lenten Program featuring Dr. Paula Martasian The Norwich Diocese Council of Catholic Women, the Willimantic District invite all ladies to a Lenten Program featuring a light lunch and presentation by Dr. Paula Martasian 1:00pm at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic. There is no admission fee for this event. For more information please call Lynda Nappi at 860-423-5064 to make a reservation.

Sunday, March 8 St. Patrick’s Day Mass Join Father Mark O’Donnell with a bagpipe procession into the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich to celebrate a Green Mass

Monday, March 9 Healing Mass, Monday At 2:00pm Spiritual Renewal Center, 11 Bath St., Norwich.

Father Ray Introvigne Celebrant, Judith Hughes, Healing Prayer.

Passion Play The 11th Annual St. Andrew Church

Passion Play

will be presented Friday & Saturday, March 27th & 28th 7:30 pm at St. Andrew Church (Doors open at 7:00 pm) 128 Norwich Ave, Colchester, CT

Wednesday, March 4

Television Mass At 10:00 a.m. Channel 20 WTXX, Charter.

Channel 11 WCCT, Comcast Celebrant is Reverend Victor Chaker.

The play is a musical performance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

A cast of over 100. A 60-Voice Choir and a 40-Voice Children’s Choir. Tickets for the performance are free; however, offerings to help defray production cost will be gratefully accepted. Tickets are available in Colchester at Merciful Saviour, the Parish Office or by phoning Theresa Dziatko 860-295-8315. A limited number of tickets are available. No more than 10 tickets per person.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

For more information please call 860-887-0702.

Thursday, April 2 Holy Thursday

Friday-Sunday, March 13-15 Married Couples Retreat Renew the excitement and joy in your Sacramental marriage. Over 70 couples have benefitted from the experience of a weekend away devoted to marriage. Presenters include: Father Ron Meyer, O.M.I. and three married couples. Grace is unlimited, but space is limited, so register early.

To register or for information: call 860-423-8484 or info@immaculataretreat.org

Friday, April 3 Way of the Cross A public procession of scripture and prayer on Good Friday6:00pm at Chelsea Parade.

Friday, March 27 St. John, Cromwell Confirmation Join the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich at 7:00pm at Saint John Parish, Cromwell.

Sunday, March 29 Palm Sunday Tuesday, March 31 Chrism Mass Bishop Michael R Cote, D.D., invites you to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich at 10:30am. The Chrism Mass is the celebration during which the sacred Chrism is consecrated and the oil of the sick and oil of the catechumens are blessed. Bishop Cote will celebrate this liturgy, all are invited to attend.

Saturday, April 4 Holy Saturday Sunday, April 5 Easter Sunday Monday, April 6 Easter Monday

Thursday, April 9 St. Edward, Stafford Springs Confirmation Join the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich at 7:00pm at Saint Edward Church, Stafford Springs.

Saturday, April 11 5th Annual Catholic Women’s Conference St Bernard School, Uncasville 8:30am – 3:30pm Featuring Genevieve Kineke. Don’t miss the rich message of authentic femininity. For more information please contact the Office of Faith Events 860- 848-2237 ext. 312.

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Television Mass Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 10:00 am Channel 20 WTXX, Charter Channel 11 WCCT, Comcast Celebrant, Fr. Ray Introvigne Leaders and Prayer Group Members Meeting – Part II Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Spiritual Renewal Center, 11 Bath St. Norwich, CT Healing Mass, Monday, February 9, 2015 at 2:00 pm Spiritual Renewal Center, 11 Bath St., Norwich, CT Fr. Ray, Celebrant, Judith Hughes, Healing Prayer Parish Mission of Renewal and Evangelization February 22, 23, 24, 2015, 7:00 pm Held at St. Joseph Church, Chester with Our Lady of Sorrows, Essex Fr Ray Introvigne and Judith Hughes Life in the Spirit Seminar (A Holy Spirit Experience) Saturday, February 28, 2015 @ St. Joseph Hall, Chester, 9:00 am-4:00 pm Prayer, Praise, Worship and Adoration Every Tuesday Evening at 6:30 pm Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich, CT Healing Mass, Monday, March 9, 2015 at 2:00 pm Spiritual Renewal Center, 11 Bath St., Norwich, CT Fr. Ray, Celebrant, Judith Hughes, Healing Prayer

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Dial-A-Prayer (860) 887-7767

P.O. Box 6 • 11 Bath Street Norwich, CT 06360 • (860) 887-0702 email: Renewal@catholicweb.com

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Four County Catholic February 2015

World Day for Consecrated Life Mass All Christians Are Called to Recognize Our Heirs to the Saints Norwich - Every day Sister Rita Johnson, S.S.N.D., is a witness to the Gospel, making her

By Shelley Wolf FCC Contributor

rounds at Backus Hospital in Norwich. As hospital chaplain, she visits the sick and prays with people of all religious denominations, calms patients in the Emergency Room, ministers to the dying, and provides spiritual comfort and support to the hospital staff.

Inspired by the religious sisters she knew as a child in Boston, she decided to become a sister herself.

“I thought I was going to do great things for God, but I found he did great things for me,” she says today with a laugh, reflecting on 34 years of service as a hospital chaplain.

“I meet the Lord every day with every person I meet. I receive much more than I give,” she says.

Sister Rita is just one of hundreds of religious sisters, brothers, seminarians, priests, and consecrated laity who were invited to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

Every year the Church celebrates a day of consecrated life for the many religious men and women who are members of Institutes of

Consecrated Life or Societies of Apostolic Life. All told, the Diocese of Norwich is home to 29 such institutes, plus a Public Association of the Faithful and a Secular Institute.

This year Pope Francis dedicated the entire year to consecrated life with the theme “Wake up the World” to thank religious men and women for their witness to Jesus Christ and their response to God’s call. The Church also hopes to promote vocations to this unique form of discipleship.

Sunday’s celebration Mass opened with a welcome to all

by Monsignor Anthony S. Rosaforte and Monsignor Robert L. Brown, celebrant.

“We rejoice with all in consecrated life, especially with our jubilarians,” Monsignor Brown said, referring to those in attendance who were celebrating 50 to 70 years of service to the Church.

“The Church grows in witness through your generosity, self-sacrifice, and care for others,” Monsignor

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Brown told all assembled, reiterating the words of Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter to All Consecrated People on the Occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life.

This year’s homily was delivered by invited guest, Father Raymond Borkowski, O.F.M., former pastor of Saint John Parish in Cromwell and current Parochial Vicar of Saint Paul Church in Kensington.

“I am delighted to be here,” he said. Commenting on the recently restored cathedral, he noted “I’m awed and overwhelmed by what I see here.”

In an eloquent speech and uplifting meditation on the Scriptures, Father Borkowski likened

the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple to our own Baptism.

“Each of us is consecrated to God by our Baptism,” he said.

“We belong to God in many ways.

In living out that Baptism there are many vocations. One special vocation is dedicating your life entirely to the Lord in prayer and service to the Church.”

Father Borkowski compared those in consecrated life to the apostles.

He noted that Pope Francis dedicated not just one day this year but the entire year to consecrated life. “He’s saying to us, ‘Wake up the world.’ And he wants us to meditate on this for the whole year.”

“We want to thank God for this gift of religious life he’s given to the Church, especially to the religious life here in the Diocese of Norwich,” Father Borkowski said, referring to the 31 institutes in the diocese.

According to Father Borkowski, Pope Francis would like all Christians to be aware of and appreciate those in consecrated life because

they are heirs to the great saints who have written the history of Christianity.

“As the Holy Father said, ‘What would the Church be without Saint Benedict and Saint Basil, without Saint Augustine and Saint Bernard, without Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Angelica Merici and Saint Vincent de Paul. The list could go on and on, up to Saint John Bosco and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta,’” Father Borkowski said.

“Here in the United States we can proudly add five more people to the list,” Father Borkowski said, listing Saints Katherine Drexel, Mother Theodore Guerin, Damian of Molokai, Marianne Cope, and Kateri Tekawitha. In addition, Miriam Teresa was just Beatified last October, and Blessed Junipero Serra is scheduled to be canonized this year.

All of these saints met heroic challenges, Father Borkowski said.

“They were not endowed at their Baptism with anything more than the Holy Spirit, but they opened

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Four County Catholic February 2015

their hearts and their lives to God.” “I tell young people considering religious vocations, ‘Don’t wait until you’re a saint. It doesn’t work that way.’ As Pope Francis said, ‘I’m a sinner.’ We all need a savior,” Father Borkowski said.

Behind all the works in education, social service, and health care is a life of dedication and service.

“The religious life is more than just a job or a career. It’s a way of life that involves the whole person. It’s a God-focused life, and that’s the source of its dedication,” Father Borkowski stressed.

He noted that there are many orders that newcomers may join, all of which add to the mosaic of the Catholic Church. “Each order

brings a new presence, a new encounter, a new meaning to the Gospel life.”

As for promoting vocations, Father Borkowski quoted Cardinal Sean O’Malley who said, “Vocations are born in prayer, and only in prayer can they come to fruition.” Father asked grandparents and parents to continue to pray for young people who might be considering religious vocations.

Turning his attention back to those currently consecrated to God, Father Borkowski said, “Ask the Virgin Mary for the grace to preserve the memory of the first call you received to the religious life. Remember the moment God changed your life.”

Pope Francis to address Congress on September 24 Pope Francis will visit the U.S. Capitol and speak there on Sept. 24 as part of his trip to the United State, House Speaker John A. Boehner (ROhio) announced Thursday.

Boehner noted that Francis will become the first pope to make the visit, which promises to be an historic and wellattended appearance.

The pope’s appearance comes as he’s also scheduled to visit Philadelphia for the World Conference on Families and New York, to visit the United Nations.

Boehner made the announcement Thursday at his weekly press conference.

In a separate written statement, Boehner said that “It is my great privilege to announce that His Holiness Pope Francis will visit the United States Capitol on Thursday, September 24, 2015. On that day, he will become the first leader of the Holy See to address a joint meeting of Congress. It will be a historic visit, and we are truly grateful that Pope Francis has accepted our invitation.

“In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father’s message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds. His teachings, prayers, and very example bring us back to the blessings of simple things and our obligations to one another. We look forward to warmly welcoming Pope Francis to our Capitol and hearing his address on behalf of the American people.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) -who, like Boehner, is Catholic -- said in a statement that she is “honored and overjoyed” that Francis is visiting the Capitol.

“Pope Francis has renewed the faith of Catholics worldwide and inspired a new generation of people, regardless of their religious affiliation, to be instruments of peace,” she added. “In the spirit of the namesake of San Francisco, St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis’ universal message of love and compassion speaks to millions around the world.

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Thursday, Sept. 24th: Our World Meeting of Families Pilgrimage begins as we depart from Norwich, CT via Deluxe Motor Coach foor Philadelphia. Along the route to Philadelphia there will be numerous rest stops to make the way more enjoyaable. Upon arrival, we will join in Evening Mass, followed by our hotel check-in.

Friday, Sept. 25th: Today we will spend the day in Philadelphia sightseeing. Amoung the places we will visit are St. John Neumann National Shrine and the St. Katharine Drexel Shrine, located on the historic grounds of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. We will also visit the many historic points of Philadelphia.

Saturday, y Sept 26th: This morning, we will join in the Festival of Family events, including the welcoming ceremony for Pope Francis. Time permitting, we will visit other places of interest in Philadelphia.

Sunday, Sept. 27th: This morning following breakfast at the hotel, we will join other pilgrims from around the world in the closing Papal Mass for the Festival of Families and the Canonization of Junípero Serra Ferrer, O.F.M. Late afternoon departure for our return trip back home.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Sackcloth and Ashes!

From ancient times, sackcloth and ashes have been symbols of sorrow, repentance, and

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the desire to have one’s sins forgiven. In the Old Testament, we read of the prophet Daniel: “I turned to God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3).

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus preached to the unrepentant towns of Chorazin and Bathsaida, “If the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes!

(Matt.11:21).”

In the early centuries of the Church, when the baptized committed some grave offense such as

idolatry or murder, they were often required to do public penance before being readmitted to the community. One form of this public penance was to dress in sackcloth and ashes

and then stand, excluded, outside the place where the community gathered to celebrate the Eucharist.

In a Christian setting, sackcloth took its meaning from Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats.

Sackcloth, a very coarse material, was woven from the hair of goats.

The penitent who wore sackcloth was to be considered a goat; that is,

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one of those destined for hell because of sin. In contrast, those without sackcloth were the sheep who faithfully followed the shepherd.

Ashes had a similar but slightly different message. Since ashes were considered to be dirt, or soil, when poured abundantly over the head of the one doing penance, the person appeared to be dirty and unwashed, even unwanted.

The ashes were a reminder of two truths. First, that as written in Book of Genesis, God made Adam from “the dust of the earth,” and every person will be returned to the dust of the earth through death. The second is that the sinner, just like Adam, is excluded from paradise, the place of greenery and life, and banished to the barren dry land where nothing flourishes.

Taken together, sackcloth and ashes were a strong and clear reminder of the devastation brought about by sin. Those who wore sackcloth and ashes for months, or in some instances for years, did so because they were genuinely sorry for their sins, and were sincere in their desire to change their ways and rejoin the community of believers.

In the Church today, we preserve a small remnant of that ancient approach to penance and conversion of heart in the ashes of Ash Wednesday. The ashes are placed on our foreheads with either of these two admonitions: Repent, and believe the Gospel.

Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return.

The words spoken to us, along with the smearing of ashes on our foreheads, are meant to stir our hearts to repentance and conversion of heart, just as in ancient times. The sackcloth and abundance of ashes is gone, but the message is the same: Repent, change your heart, do the right thing, focus on God, prepare well for Easter, come home to the community of believers.

May this rich symbol of repentance and conversion be effective in our lives, through Lent and beyond.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Why Residual Bequests Are So Good!

Not many of us are excited about the prospect of own mortality and writing our last will and

By Mary Ellen Mahoney

half of all Americans die without having a will in place.) In fact, dying without a will provides the State with the its last bit of control

can be better than a pecuniary bequest, that is, a gift of money. Well, if you think about it, if you leave a person or organization a specific amount of money when you write your will, you do not know how much your estate will

over your life. Without a will in place, the intestacy laws of the State of Connecticut will step in and your hard earned money will be distributed according to them and not your own wishes! So, as your final act of directing your own life, you might want to write a will.

Some people feel uneasy about naming organizations, including the Church, as beneficiaries in their wills because they feel that they want to take care of their children and family first in their wills and are not sure if they will have anything left to give to others.

While this is a very understandable feeling, the use of the Residuary Clause is a great way to put your mind at ease. Every will drafted by an attorney should contain a Residuary Clause which is a provision that disposes of all property that is not otherwise disposed of by other provisions in the will. After you have remembered everyone on your list, you may want to stipulate that the remainder of your estate, after all your final bills are taken care of, will be left to the Church or favorite charity. In this way, you are certain that all of your relatives have been remembered. If your will does not include a Residuary Clause, any assets that are not specifically left to anyone would pass to your heirs following the intestacy laws of the State.

While residual bequests (bequests contained in the Residuary Clause) are not as well-known as the more commonly known pecuniary and specific bequests, there are a number of benefits uniquely associated with residual bequests.

One might wonder how anything

change in value between the time you write your will and when you die. If your estate increases dramatically in value, your original bequest may seem to be relatively small when you die. Similarly, suppose your estate decreases in value between the time of drafting your will and your death, your pecuniary bequest may then be too much of your estate.

The same valuation problems can accompany a specific bequest, which is a bequest of certain property (personal or real estate). If you were to leave all of your stock in DoingGood Inc. to your favorite charity and then you subsequently sell it or its value drops dramatically, your bequest may be of no, or only little value, to your favorite charity. Likewise, if the value of all of your DoingGood Inc. stock increases greatly, you may feel that leaving all of it to one beneficiary may be too much for one recipient.

Given the potential changes in your financial situation between the time you write your will and when you pass on, the residual bequest really does seem to be the most equitable arrangement. If

Development Manager/Major Gifts

testament (“will”). Let’s face it, it is often something that we put off until a rainy day when we have nothing else to do. But alas, even if it rains, there is never a day when we have nothing to do! In reality, writing a will takes more than a day to accomplish. Although there are many things you will need to think about before writing your will, including tax planning if you have a large estate, the most obvious topics to consider are: 1. Who are the people I want to leave my assets to?

2. Are there any specific organizations that I would like to help through my will?

3. What is the property you will be bequeathing in your will?

Do you want to make specific bequests of special items of property?

4. If you have minor children, who will you appoint to be their guardians? How old should they be when property is distributed to them?

5. Who would you like to handle the settling of your estate? You will need to name an Executor who will ensure that your wishes under your will are carried out and that your final bills, including estate taxes as required, are paid.

While thinking about these issues might encourage or inspire you to make an appointment with an attorney to make a will, considering the alternative of not making a will should send you speeding to your attorney’s office! Although dying without a will is very common in America, you should not aspire to follow the majority. (According to a 2010 study conducted

by Harris Interactive, more than

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your family and friends as well as your favorite charities all share in the residual bequests, the value of each beneficiary’s bequest increases or decreases in proportion to the other beneficiaries. You will not end up in the position of having left all of your DoGood stock to your favorite charity and all of your DoNoGood Stock to your only child, only to have all of the DoGood stock skyrocket in value and the DoNoGood company file for bankruptcy. This would not be an equitable result and would surely not follow your intention to remember both your child and your favorite charity. Whereas, if you leave your child 80% of your residual estate and your favorite charity, 20% of your residual estate, both the charity and child will share in the fluctuations of your assets’ value in the proportion that reflects your intent.

Most often the best way to have your desires carried out through your will is to use a combination

of pecuniary bequests, specific bequests and residual bequests. It is always advisable to remember to be aware of how the value of your various bequests may change over time and how useful the Residuary Clause is for ensuring a fair disbursement of your assets which most reflects your wishes. While it is clear that you should meet with an attorney and your financial advisor, if you have one, in the process of drafting your will, you may also want to consider remembering your local parish, the Annual Catholic Appeal or the Diocese of Norwich and its many ministries in your will. If you are so inclined, please contact Mary Ellen Mahoney, Development Manager-Major Gifts at memahoney@norwichdiocese.net or 860-886-1928 who would be happy to meet with you to explain how your estate planning can help the Diocese, its parishes and ministries to assist so many of our neighbors.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Technology Leads to Improved Services Catholic Charities is excited and grateful that we are able to

By Jim Maffuid Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich

enter into the 21st century, in terms of technology that is. In February we are “going live” with our new Electronic Health Record, Qualifacts by CareLogic.

Our gratitude is due to our ability to be part of a four agency collaborative, that included Catholic Charities Hartford, which allowed us to obtain this much

needed resource at a significant cost savings. In fact, by being in the collaborative, we will save more than $60,000 over the next few years. We were in the fortunate position to commit to this opportunity due to a generous donation by an anonymous donor. Without their assistance we would have had to pay more money and delay the project altogether.

Bill Gilbert, Director of Operations, is leading the implementation team. He expressed, “I am

excited to finally be ready to go live with the system. It’s been a long and successful process, made possible by the hard work of the team”. Bill, along with the rest of the implementation team which is comprised of Cindy Mageski, Terri Fontaine, Kim Abrams, Dave Ketner, S y l v i a Laudette and Kristina Chomick have been attending trainings and building the system over the past seven months. Terri and Cindy express that they think the system is going to be good, but they also realize it will take some adjusting over the next few months. All team members look forward to being able to have im-

mediate access to client files regardless of which office location one is at.

Our clients are going to be better off as we will be more efficient in managing their care and monitoring outcomes. Another improvement to our clients is that

our psychiatry providers will be able to prescribe electronically , which is a much more efficient and reliable way to prescribe.

Over this same timeframe we have been working hard to revamp and improve our entire

technology infrastructure. Much thanks go to Board member , John “Jack” Babbitt as he has been helpful in reviewing our systems and lending his expertise to this project to ensure our new system has a reliable network behind it.

In today’s world we all are more and more dependent on technology.

Our funding sources, clients and staff expect to be able to receive reliable information and services in a timely manner.

Once again, our sincere thanks and gratitude goes out to everyone who has helped us along this path into our future; we are excited to be able to better serve our clients.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Providing Opportunities to Deepen our Faith An Interview with Marge Vanner, Director, Office of Faith Events Ministry How has your life’s journey brought you to the role of leading such an important ministry for the Diocese?

As a young student at St. Mary Parish School in Providence, RI, I often found myself lingering in the church, surround by statues of Jesus, Mary and the Saints. This is where my love and passion for Christ and his Church began. During my adult years I have been involved in religious education for over 40 years working in a parish and then for a Catholic all girl high school, and later in the Diocesan Office of Religious Education in the Diocese of Providence before settling here in the Diocese of Norwich. I have had the opportunity of working under the guidance and training of two directors for ten years in the Office of Faith Formation, until I was invited by Bishop Cote to coordinate the Office of Faith Events. I have been in this position for five years now and have come to know and love many of the faith-filled people of this diocese.

How do you balance providing faith-enriching opportunities for adults and youth?

Providing programs/events for adults and youth is no easy task, but I don’t do this alone. I am guided by my Advisory Board, some of whom serve as chair for five separate committees covering Youth, Adult Faith Formation, Evangelization, RCIA and Catechetics. Each of these committees provide me with ideas, resources and volunteers to implement the varied events. Our youth events are now coordinated

by Pamela Plasse, Diocesan Youth Minister.

What are some of the highlight events planned for this new year?

How will you help facilitate providing an opportunity for parishioners to witness Pope Francis’ historic visit to America later this year?

If I were to highlight some of the events planned for this year, I would start with our annual Women’s

Conference in April (as advertised in this issue); and we just booked Faustina, a drama depicting the Messenger of Divine Mercy for the evening of April 7; in July we will usher off over 100 teens to the Steubenville East Conference held at UMASS for the first time; this fall is our major youth event, Youth Explosion VII. It is a sell-out since we have reached capacity of the auditorium at St. Bernard School for the past few years; and again in November we bring back a favored speaker from Ascension Press, Thomas Smith, for a day long scripture seminar.

The Office of Faith Events Ministry is offering a Pilgrimage to Philadelphia in September, in order for the faithful to participate in the Papal Visit, Mass and the Canonization of

Junipero Serra Ferrer, OFM. This extended weekend will include visits to St. John Neumann National Shrine and the Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel along with other historic points of interest.

What would you consider the challenge set facing the Faith Events Ministry as it continues to grow and serve greater numbers of parishioners?

One challenge that is actually a blessing, is finding available locations of an appropriate size for our expected crowds. The other challenge is getting the word out about these events to everyone. We rely heavily on the Four County Catholic to spread the word, hoping that their readers will pass the announcements of our events to their friends.

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How can friends of the Diocese of Norwich help further support your ministry’s events and development?

We have room for more members on our five committees, and will always accept nominations. As a good steward of the budget, every event is planned to be self-funded. We try to keep affordable registration fees, but with small attendance at some events, the registration doesn’t cover the cost of the event. The Knights of Columbus are a big support to our youth events. They have councils that continually offer scholarships to enable more teens to attend. I ask that the good people of this diocese continue to donate

to the Annual Catholic Appeal which financially supports this Ministry.

Is there an overarching message we should all keep in mind when thinking about the Office of Faith Events?

If there is an overarching message that emanated from the Office of Faith Events, it would be opportunity. The events that are planned and implemented are meant to provide opportunities to deepen our faith, to come to know about Christ and his teachings. The more we learn about someone who is good and caring, the deeper our love grows for them.

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians to Host the First Annual “Green Mass� at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick Irish eyes will be smiling on March 8th as the first annual Green Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich at 10:30am .

The Mass is sponsored by both the Hartford and the New London Divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), and will be coordinated by Monsignor Tony Rosaforte, with music organized by Cathedral Music Director Douglas Green. Pastor Mark O’Donnell of St. Joseph’s Parish in New London (and Division Chaplain for the New London AOH) will celebrate the Mass.

The first annual Green Mass will feature a bagpipe procession into the church with dignitaries from the state and local government, the religious community, and representatives of the local Irish-American community, including mem-

bers of the AOH. Governor Malloy and our two US Senators have been invited to attend.

The AOH is America’s oldest

Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization, founded in May, 1836.

The Order can trace its roots back to a series of similar societies that existed in Ireland for more than 300 years. The AOH evolved from a need in the early

sixteen-hundreds to protect the lives of priests who risked immediate death to keep the Catholic Faith alive in occupied Ireland after the reign of England’s King Henry VIII. According to Rick Connell, President of the New London division of the AOH, the idea for sponsoring a Green Mass to honor Saint Patrick on the day of the Norwich St. Patrick’s Day parade seemed like a perfect fit.

After the Green Mass, the AOH will host a reception in the Cathedral hall with coffee and soda bread.

Many participants plan to stay on after the Mass to march in the 2nd annual Norwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for 1 pm later that day. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact rconnellsr@gmail.com.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

A Voice for the Dignity of Every Human Person Washington, D.C. - National Council of Catholic Women continues their decades-long tradition of participating in March for Life, the largest pro-life event in the world.

Active in the pro-life movement even prior to the infamous Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973, the National Council of Catholic Women has been, since its foundation by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 1920, a voice for the dignity of every human person.

NCCW President, Dr. Rebecca Woodhull, writes that “The National Council of Catholic Women was created by the US Bishops in 1920 to be the Voice of Catholic Women and we make up half of the Catholic population in the U.S. We plan to have our voices heard throughout the country for pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-religious liberty and many other issues that affect our ability to practice our Catholic faith in our lives.”

Immediate Past President, Patty Johnson (2009 -2011) states that it has been an honor participating in the National Pro Life activities for the past twelve years while serving on the NCCW Board of Directors.

“I have been interviewed by EWTN, and by many other Catholic organizations forging a path for Life. Attending the Pro Life leadership Masses since 2010 with a smaller group has given our Executive Committee opportunities to speak with the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro Life Activities and other Catholic leaders about NCCW’s work in the pro life movement. This year the Leadership Mass was celebrated

by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley on January 21st.”

Past NCCW President Joann Hillebrand (1997-1999) recalled that she was invited to speak at the pre-March rally, which was televised nationwide. This continued a tradition begun with Joan McGrath (1995-97), who was privileged to stand on the platform with March for Life Founder Nellie Gray and to speak at the rally. She recalls saying to cheers from the crowd, “My name is Joan McGrath, President of the National

Council of Catholic Women, representing 8 million women across the United States!”

Despite vocal animosity from pro abortion supporters, the National Council of Catholic Women has always stood firmly with the U.S. Catholic bishops in support of life and the dignity of human persons at every stage of life, from conception through natural death. The entire Board of Directors, including Province Directors from nearly thirty provinces around the country, convened in Washington, D.C. for the annual Board of Directors’ meeting, and joined together with Diocesan Coun-

cils of Women from all across the country for the national pro life activities and marched together on January 22nd.

Established in 1920, the National Council of Catholic Women acts through its membership to support, empower, and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world.

For more information, please contact Laraine Bennett at 703-224-0990 or email lbennett@ nccw.org. See the NCCW website at nccw.org.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Guidelines for Lent, Holy Week & the Triduum 2015 FAST AND ABSTINENCE These regulations unite the whole Catholic Church throughout the world in the Lenten journey of repentance and conversion of heart. Observed in a spirit of generosity, fast and abstinence remind us of our own frailty and make us more sensitive to the needs of others. Acts of penance find their completion in works of charity and justice.

Fasting: Those between the ages of 18 and 59 years old are obliged to observe the laws on fasting. Traditionally, to fast means limiting oneself to one full meal in the day and two smaller meals. The two prescribed days of fasting are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Abstinence: The law of abstinence obliges all those who are over the age of 14. On days of abstinence, meat is not eaten at any meal. The prescribed days of abstinence are Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday.

ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins with the celebration of Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2015. The blessing and imposition of ashes should take place either in the context of Mass, or outside Mass. If outside Mass, the distribution is preceded by a liturgy of the Word.

HOLY WEEK The days of Holy Week, from Monday to Thursday, have precedence over all other celebrations.

Neither Baptisms nor Confirmations are celebrated during Holy Week.

CROSSES AND IMAGES Crosses in churches may be covered from the conclusion of the Mass for Saturday of the fourth week of Lent until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Images in the churches may be covered from the conclusion of the Mass for Saturday of the fourth week of Lent until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION/PALM SUNDAY (March 29, 2015)

Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem is commemorated at every Mass, with the procession or solemn entrance before the principal Mass, and the simple entrance at the other Masses.

The proclamation of the Passion is made without candles or incense. The assembly’s first and primary role is one of actively listening to the proclamation of the Passion.

CHRISM MASS The Chrism Mass will be celebrated at The Cathedral of St. Patrick on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 10:30 AM. Bishop Cote will be the main celebrant. All priests of the diocese are invited to concelebrate with the Bishop along with this year’s jubilarians. Parishioners are encouraged to share in this ecclesial event which manifests the union of the priests with their bishop in the priesthood and ministry of Christ.

Following the Chrism Mass the oils of catechumens, the sick and chrism will be distributed to parish representatives.

THE TRIDUUM The Easter Triduum, which celebrates the Paschal Mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

The Easter Triduum is a unified liturgical event which takes place over the course of three days.

Therefore, ideally, the three liturgies are to be celebrated in the same location. The people are encouraged to attend the Triduum in its entirety.

Parishes in the Diocese Which are Clustered or Yoked: The Pastors will announce to their respective parishes plans to celebrate the three liturgy’s of the Triduum in the same location.

HOLY THURSDAY - MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (April 2, 2015) The Missal’s opening antiphon gives us a clue as to the atmosphere of this Mass, as well as to the meaning of the whole Triduum:

“We should glory in the cross...”

Lent is now over, and we begin the joyful celebration of the Triduum ...The mood this evening is one of joy (e.g. white vestments) even though this joy will only be fully experienced and expressed during the Easter Vigil (L .Johnson, The Three Days: A Liturgical Guide, p.24).

The liturgy is always an act of ecclesial unity and Christian charity, of which the Holy Thursday foot washing rite is an eminent sign.

GOOD FRIDAY - THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION (April 3, 2015) To be sure, there are elements of sadness connected with today’s liturgy, and yet what we celebrate is not a funeral. Certainly we recall

the death of Jesus, but today is also a day of hope and expectation, for we focus not only on Calvary but also, and more importantly, on the whole mystery of redemption. In the words of Pope Leo the Great: the cross “is the source of every blessing and grace” (The Three Days: A Liturgical Guide, p. 50).

The most appropriate time for this celebration is 3 PM, but for pastoral reasons it may be celebrated at noon or later in the evening, but not after 9 PM.

On this day, in accordance with ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist. Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful during the celebration of the Lord’s Passion only, though it may be brought to the sick at any time of the day.

Only one Cross is used for veneration, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite. The Cross is presented to each of the faithful individually, since personal veneration of the Cross is a most important feature in the celebration.

After the celebration the altar is stripped, but the Cross remains with four candles.

HOLY SATURDAY (April 4, 2015) Holy Saturday has been called the Second Sabbath. Like the original Sabbath, it is a day of rest, a day of repose, both physical and spiritual; it is to be a day of fasting and waiting, a day whose quiet is broken only by the morning liturgy of the hours.

It should be a time of peace and of prayer whereby, at least in spirit, each member of the community joins those to be baptized in preparing for the events of the coming night. It is a time of preparation, both internal and external (The Three Days: A Liturgical Guide, p. 86).

On Holy Saturday the Church abstains strictly from the celebration of Mass. Holy Communion may be given only in the form of Viaticum. The celebration of marriages is forbidden, as well as the other sacraments, except Penance and Anointing of the Sick.

THE EASTER VIGIL By its very nature, the Easter Vigil takes place at night. It begins and ends in darkness. The Vigil is not begun before nightfall and should end before daybreak on Easter Sunday. Because Daylight Saving Time is in effect, the Easter Vigil begins at 8:00 PM or later,

but not before 8:00 PM. A Vigil beginning at midnight is permissible, as is an early Sunday morning Vigil planned to end before dawn.

The Paschal Vigil is unique among the celebrations of the Church. It is a time to wait, to watch, to look, to listen, to meditate, to spend time with other Christians and not be restrained by the demands of the hour...It is about the freedom of prayer (The Three Days: A Liturgical Guide, p.

93-94).

The usual time for the celebration of the sacraments of initiation is the Easter Vigil (Rite, n. 207).

EASTER SUNDAY (April 5, 2015) How beautiful is the Paschal celebration. Beautiful too is the present assembly. The mysteries contain so much that is both old and new...It is not just those on earth who rejoice, but also the powers above who join our activities and celebrate with us because of the resurrection of Christ...The earth celebrates the feast...the sea celebrates...let every person celebrate, born again of water and the Holy Spirit (Proclus of Constantinople [d.446], cited in The Three Days: A Liturgical Guide, p. 188).

At all Masses, the creed may be replaced by the renewal of Baptismal promises.

The second Sunday of Easter (April 12, 2015) is designated as Divine Mercy Sunday.

The Paschal Candle remains in the sanctuary near the ambo through evening prayer on Pentecost Sunday. It is lighted for all liturgical celebrations. After the Easter season the candle is returned to the baptistry.

Infant baptisms and First Communions are appropriate at Masses during the Sundays of Easter Season.

The double Alleluia is added to all forms of dismissal. This is done through the celebration of the second Sunday of Easter, and on the feast of Pentecost.

For more information contact: Office of Worship Diocese of Norwich Lent/Easter 2015 worship@norwichdiocese.net or www.norwichdiocese.org.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

The XIV Ordinary Synod of Bishops 2015 Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World In preparation for the XIV Ordinary Synod of Bishops (October 4-25, 2015), whose theme is the Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World, the Holy Father Pope Francis has made a comprehensive document available to facilitate ample consultation of the faithful on this topic.

Bishop Cote encourages the faithful of the Diocese to read and reply to the document’s questions by making the document conveniently available on the diocesan website. This working document contains three parts: Listening – it asks that we look at the reality of the family today in all its complexities; Looking – with our gaze fixed on Christ, it addresses the need to ponder the Church’s teaching on the beauty, role and dignity of the family; Confronting the Situation – with an eye on the Lord Jesus, we discern how we can renew our commitment to the family founded on the marriage of a man and a woman.

To print entire document, visit: http://www.norwichdiocese.org/synod-of-bishops.html Please print responses and mail them by February 20, 2015, to: Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich 201 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 or e-mail to bpcote@norwichdiocese.net

El Ordinario XIV Sínodo de los Obispos 2015 Vocación y Misión de la Familia en la Iglesia y el Mundo Contemporáneo En preparación para el XIV ordinario Sínodo de los obispos (425 de octubre de 2015), cuyo tema es la vocación y misión de lafamilia en la iglesia y el mundo contemporáneo, el Santo Padre Francis ha hecho un documento integral disponible para facilitarla consulta amplia de los fieles sobre este tema.

Obispo Cote anima a los fieles de la diócesis para leer y responder a preguntas del documento haciendo el documentoconvenientemente disponible en el sitio Web diocesano. Este documento de trabajo contiene tres partes: Escuchando – pide que miramos la realidad de la familia hoy en toda su complejidad; Buscando – con la mirada fijada en Cristo, aborda la necesidad de reflexionar sobre la enseñanza de la iglesia sobre la belleza, elpapel y la dignidad de la familia; Enfrentar la situación – con un ojo en el Señor Jesús, que discernir cómo podemos renovar nuestro compromiso con la familiafundada en el matrimonio entre un hombre y una mujer.

Para imprimir el documento completo, visite: http://www.norwichdiocese.org/synod-of-bishops.html Por favor imprima las respuestas y envíelos por 20 de febrero de 2015, para: La mayoría reverendo Michael R. Cote, D.D., obispo de Norwich 201 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 o por e-mail a bpcote@norwichdiocese.net

Poneham Council No. 43 Knights of Columbus in Taftville, CT recently honored Veteran and Double-Amputee, Zac Gore of Lisbon with a $1,000 gift raised by Council from the Annual Fundraiser. Back Row (from left): Mark Hyman; Klaus Stankiewicz, State Advocate; John Atterbury, Grand Knight. Front Row: Norbert Cormier; Zac Gore, Veteran; and Frank Laroux, Chairperson of the Annual Fundraiser. Additional funds were donated to the Veteran Home in Jewett City and to food pantries in surrounding communities.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Sister Donna Markham Named First Female Head of Catholic Charities A nun has been chosen as the next president of Catholic Charities USA, the first time that a

By David Gibson Religion News Service

woman will head the church’s main charitable arm in its 105-year history.

Sister Donna Markham, a highly regarded Dominican who specializes in clinical psychology, will take over in June from the Rev. Larry Snyder, who has headed the Alexandria, Va.-based Catholic Charities for the past decade.

“There can be no greater call than to serve and advocate on behalf of persons who struggle to get by in a world where they are alltoo-frequently relegated to the margins of society and where they long for dignity, hope and compassion,” said Markham, currently president of the Behavioral Health Institute for Mercy Health in Ohio.

“I feel blessed to walk among the many dedicated Catholic Charities workers across the country who daily make the gospel come alive through their care for their sisters and brothers

in need.”

Catholic Charities agencies across the country serve 10 million people annually, and their 70,000 employees are on the front lines of the church’s social service efforts in the U.S. Markham’s appointment by the CCUSA board of trustees — a board she once chaired — comes as Pope Francis is pushing to give women more prominent roles in the Catholic Church.

“I will do all in my power to support her leadership and passion in working to respond to the growing needs of the underprivileged, especially following the example of our dear Pope Francis,” said Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik, the chief liaison between the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and CCUSA.

Defending Religious Liberty Organizations such as church-sponsored universities, hospitals and social services, are facing a fine of $100 per day ($36,500 per year) per employee if they provide health coverage that does not include contraceptives, including abortioncausing drugs, and sterilization. Exorbitant fines like these will surely force a lot of organizations that serve tens of thousands of people to close.

If you haven’t done so already, please voice your opposition to the mandate by calling President Obama at the White House at 202-456-1111 or U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell at 202-205-5445.

Let them know that the mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right to religious freedom.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Connecticut Catholic Conference 134 FARMINGTON AVENUE HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06105-3784

MICHAEL C. CULHANE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEACON DAVID W. REYNOLDS LEGISLATIVE LIAISON

SS Peter & Paul, Norwich

Monsignor Leszek T. Janik, J.C.L., V.G., Pastor Address: 181 Elizabeth Street, Norwich, CT 06360-6199 Phone: 860-887-9857 E-mail: ssppnorwich@yahoo.com Mass Times: Sunday Masses: 7:30am & 10:00am (Saturday 4:00pm) Daily Mass: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8:30am Holy Day Mass: 8:30am (Vigil 5:00pm) Confessions: Saturday 3:15-3:45pm Yoked with St. Joseph, Norwich

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, At the beginning of this New Year we are writing to enlist your support and cooperation regarding a legislative proposal which undoubtedly will be sponsored during the 2015 Session of the Connecticut General Assembly.

A proposal which would legalize Physician Assisted Suicide in Connecticut was sponsored by the organization called Compassion and Choices during the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions.

Both times this measure died in the Public Health Committee and so never came up to a vote.

However, we have every reason to believe that this legislative proposal will be sponsored again in 2015.

As a church community we need to be vigilant, pro-active and knowledgeable regarding Physician Assisted Suicide, and to join forces with other groups in order to defeat it. We are obliged to do so because we believe that Physician Assisted Suicide is based on false arguments; it is unnecessary; and it is destructive of human life and dignity. As an offense against the Author of Life it can only lead to our diminishment as human beings and to a bad outcome for our society.

The Catholic Church in Connecticut is well positioned to marshal opposition to this legislative proposal thanks to our network of parishes, schools, health care institutions and charitable organizations. However, to be successful it is imperative that we educate and engage our Catholic people locally on this issue.

Archbishop Blair’s November article in Hartford’s Catholic Transcript was an articulation of the fundamental issues at stake regarding Physician Assisted Suicide. This was only the first step in an informational phase that will need to be repeated and amplified locally on many fronts in all our dioceses in days to come, and for which we count on your active collaboration and support.

This in turn will be followed by a specific legislative strategy which will also require a local mobilization of public opposition as developments warrant.

We are grateful for your attention to this matter and to your active cooperation in bearing witness to the Gospel of Life in the face of threats to human life and dignity.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano Archbishop of Hartford

Bishop of Bridgeport

Most Reverend Christie A. Macaluso Auxiliary Bishop of Hartford

Most Reverend Michael R. Cote Bishop of Norwich

Most Reverend Paul P. Chomnycky Bishop of Stamford

True Compassion Alleviates Suffering While Maintaining Solidarity with Those Who Suffer Following are several excerpts from the referenced article on the subject of assisted suicide. in the November, 2014 Catholic Transcript by The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, S.T.D., Fifth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford: An argument will be made by the proponents of assisted suicide that this is a compassionate thing to do, but the reality is far different.

In the words of the U.S. bishops:

“True compassion alleviates suffering while maintaining solidarity with those who suffer. It does not put lethal drugs into their hands and abandon them to their suicidal impulses, or to the self-serving motives of others who may want them dead.”

It will be argued that physically, people should not have to endure the excruciating pain and suffering that may accompany a terminal ill-

ness. The fact is that modern pain management, more and more widely acknowledged and practiced, is very effective in meeting this challenge. What we need to do, and can do, is to kill the pain, not the patient.

It is also argued that mentally and emotionally, people should not have to be plagued by fears of losing control or being a burden. But that is why a truly compassionate

society, medical profession, family and church community are present: to rise to the challenge of palliative care that includes hospice and specialty consultation, spiritual support, family counseling and other assistance. Again, to quote the U.S. bishops: “People who request death are vulnerable. They need care and protection. To offer them lethal drugs is a victory not for freedom, but for the worst form

of neglect. Such abandonment is especially irresponsible when society is increasingly aware of elder abuse and other forms of mistreatment and exploitation of vulnerable persons.”

For a complete transcript of the Archbishop’s illuminating article, logon to http://www.catholictranscript.org/archbishop-s-desk/archbishop-leonard-blair/3582-true-an d-false-compassion.html.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Watching American Sniper As a Catholic I watched American Sniper last night with friends from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and exBy Tom Hoopes CatholicVote.Org

perienced all the elements that are making this film such a powerful force nationwide: The theater was packed on a Thursday night. We heard what sounded like male sobbing somewhere behind us during the film. At its end, the audience stood and left the theater in reverent silence.

Why are so many people queuing up to see the new film from director Clint Eastwood and star Bradley Cooper and then being moved so deeply?

Probably because American Sniper finally tells a “war hero” story about Iraq: It presents “the Legend,” Navy SEAL Chris Kyle as a noble person doing good despite his brokenness.

The film recounts the life of a man who loves his country trying to protect his brothers in arms, moving swiftly through his childhood lessons from his father to his rowdy young adulthood on the rodeo circuit to his own fatherhood and military service.

Anyone watching American Sniper brings a lot into the theater with him: Personal connections with those who fought in and perhaps never returned from Iraq, political beliefs about the war, and the very real fear of the dangerous people in Iraq who still have America in

their sites.

Catholics watching American Sniper bring the Church’s moral perspective with them too.

For the soldier fighting in a war, the moral calculus is different. Eastwood does a good job of raising the moral dilemmas faced by snipers, and American fighters in Iraq in general.

The film becomes a kind of object lesson in wartime morality.

“Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and treated humanely,” says the Catechism.

The movie shows the agonizing choices Chris Kyle faces, having to make split-second decisions about who is a combatant and who is a civilian. His first target as a sniper is a powerful illustration of just how difficult and important those decisions can be.

The movie helps remind us that America’s military is very serious and careful about avoiding civilian casualties — something that it has not gotten enough credit for.

“Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants of the security and freedom of nations,” says the Catechism. “If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace.”

The film certainly presents Chris Kyle as this kind of servant of security, especially in the heroic proces-

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intentions for February That prisoners, especially the young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity.

sion that ends it.

Some have argued that the real Kyle was not the paragon of wartime morality that his movie alter ego is. I am not so sure. Read more of the real Kyle’s self-assessment and he ultimately does sound like the Cooper version. “If I had to order my priorities, they would be God, Country, Family,” Kyle wrote.

“There might be some debate on where those last two fall — these

days I’ve come around to believe that Family may, under some circumstances, outrank Country. But it’s a close race.” The film puts that “close race”into a conversation between husband and wife.

The film also clearly got Kyle’s relationship with Scripture right. “I’d carried a Bible with me,” he wrote.

“I hadn’t read it all that much, but it had always been with me.”

The movie also basically quotes

his thoughts on his ultimate salvation: “But in that backroom or whatever it is when God confronts me with my sins, I do not believe any of the kills I had during the war will be among them.”

Ultimately, American Sniper is a real story about a real character whose faults lived side-by-side with the qualities in him that saved lives and brought people out in droves to honor his life.

22

Four County Catholic February 2015

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Haiti: The Need is Incredible Local Haitians have been reflecting quietly and privately on the 35 seconds that changed their

By Claire Bessette Reprint from the Day

worlds five years ago January 12th.

That day a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, killing 300,000 and leaving 1.5 million people homeless. About 85,000 people remain homeless today.

The Catholic Diocese of Norwich’s Haitian Ministries has had a long presence in Port au Prince.

During the earthquake, the ministries’ mission house collapsed, trapping acting director Jillian Thorp of Old Saybrook, volunteer Chuck Dietsch of Southbury and Haitian staff member Lanitte Belledente. All three were rescued, but Belledente’s legs were crushed.

Afterward, Haitian Ministries merged with Hospice St. Joseph, a nearby agency, to form Outreach to Haiti. Dan O’Sullivan, a retired insurance actuary from Killingworth, was hired by the diocese as executive director of Outreach to Haiti in October.

O’Sullivan said both programs’ buildings were destroyed in the earthquake. The ministries’ health clinic is in a temporary plywood building and rented guest house. The clinic serves the Christ Roi region of about

60,000 residents and provides 7,000 doctor visits per year, follow-up care and community outreach, O’Sullivan said.

To save money, officials decided to rebuild one two-story mission house, with a health clinic on the main floor and guest housing for 14 upstairs on the site of the former mission house in the Christ Roi section of Port au Prince.

Outreach to Haiti recently launched a $300,000 capital campaign for the project. Direct solicitations have brought in $140,000, O’Sullivan said. The campaign last week went public to diocese parishes and in a letter from The Most Rev. Michael Cote, bishop of Norwich published in Four County Catholic.

“We would like to be building by the middle of the year,” O’Sullivan said. “We’re doing some of the ground work now. The loose rubble was cleaned out after the earthquake, and now we’re excavating broken foundations.”

Mission House Chaplain Father Frank Rouleau, flew to Haiti recently. About 10 volunteers from St. Matthew’s Church in Tolland have recently visited the diocesan operations there; a group from St. Mary’s Church in Coventry have also made the trip.

O’Sullivan visited in October to meet staff and residents and assess the region’s needs.

“The need is incredible,” O’Sullivan said. “But the people, you develop a relationship with them very quickly. They are very warm and friendly. They’re willing to work their way out of the poverty.”

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Four County Catholic February 2015

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Four County Catholic February 2015

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Four County Catholic February 2015

St. Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich 860-889-4174 www.St-patrickschoolnorwich.org

Academic Excellence. Character. Self-confidence.

Sacred Heart School, Taftville 860-887-1757 www.sacredhearttaftville.org Sacred Heart School, Groton 860-445-0611 www.sacredheartgroton.org St. Edward School, Stafford Springs 860-684-2600 www.stedward-stafford.org St. James School, Danielson 860-774-3281 www.stjamesdanielson.com St. John Paul II Regional School, Middletown 860-347-2978 www.jpii.org St. John School, Old Saybrook 860-388-0849 www.saintjohnschoolos.com St. Joseph School, Baltic 860-822-6141 www.stjosephbaltic.org St. Joseph School, North Grosvenordale 860-923-2090 www.schoolofstjoseph.com St. Joseph School, New London 860-442-1720 www.sjsnl.com St. Mary-St. Joseph School, Willimantic 860-423-8479 www.smsjschool.org St. Michael School, Pawcatuck 860-599-1084 www.stmichaelschoolct.com

March for Life Washington, D.C. - A bus full of faithful teens and adults, sponsored by the

By Pamela Plasse

St. Matthew Pre-School, Tolland 860-872-0200 www.stmatthewct.org St. Bernard Pre-School, Rockville 860-875-0753 x113 www.saintbernardchurch.org

Youth Minister, Office of Faith Events

Office of Faith Events, traveled to Wash-

ington DC to participate in the annual “March For Life”. The March for Life began as a small demonstration in 1973, against the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade making abortion legal. The march has grown to be the largest Pro-

life event in the world. There were tens of thousands very peaceful marchers over-crowding the route to the Capital.

What an experience!

The marchers left the Diocese of Norwich Wednesday afternoon, January 21,

To learn more, contact the Diocesan School Office, 860-887-4086, www.norwichdso.org or contact one of the diocesan schools.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

states. The music, the readings, and the speakers made the overall experience of the Mass and Rally a great one. When we arrived at the actual march, I expected to see around the same number of people that had attended the Mass

participating in the march as well.

Instead, I saw a never ending sea of people, thousands and thousands of people. The amount of people who had attended the march was significantly greater than the number of people who

also attended the Mass and Rally, which was great on its own. It was amazing to be able to participate with so many people for a great cause. Overall, I had a wonderful experience on this trip and I cannot wait to attend again next year.

Christ Within Us St. Patrick Cathedral School

arriving late to the hotel to rest and arise early to attend a morning Rally and Mass sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington DC. “These teens ARE the Pro-Life Generation! As adults we are honored to spend this time with them and witness their firm belief. A belief strengthened by instruction and discussions in religious education through their parishes and St Bernard School.” Pamela Plasse, Youth Minister, Diocese of Norwich.

The theme for this year’s march was “Every Life is a Gift” and many posters brought attention to life at its inception, to the moment God calls one home.

Family and friends prayed vigilantly for those who marched, and so did the many attending local pro-life events.

March for Life 2015 Student Reflections Shannon Foley, Class of 2015 The March for Life is an annual stand against the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion as a result of the Roe v Wade case.

Each year, the trip is offered through the Norwich Diocese and always attracts many students from Saint Bernard School. I am proud of this; it is fantastic to see how we unite as a community to stand together among some 150,000 others in protest. I believe the trip is so popular because it allows us to see that we are not alone in taking a stand and that our generation does have a voice that is being heard. Before heading to the Capitol for the March,

we attended a Mass held at the D.C Armory. The Mass is amazing in both number and participation. There were thousands of teens together praying for the safety and success of the March. A large portion of the Mass was sung and it was a lot of fun to sing along with everyone. I have attended the March for Life trip all four of my high school years and I enjoyed it each time. I hope the trip continues to grow in popularity as well as the March itself.

Mia Shallcross, Class of 2016 I was extremely excited to travel to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life trip. Being that it was my first time attending, I honestly had no idea what to expect. When we arrived at the Youth Rally and Mass, I was awed to see the masses of people that had traveled from many other

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Courage & Conviction: How One Young Catholic Saved 2,500 Kids Irena Sendler was 29-years-old when Nazi tanks slithered into Warsaw, casting a shadow

By Christina Capecchi Four County Catholic Contributor

of fear over the town and slicing it apart with a walled-off ghetto for the Jewish residents.

There was no way she could sit back and watch. The social worker with the shy eyes and round baby face stood 4’11” and possessed an unblinking courage. She had two guiding stars in life: her Catholic faith and her late father, a physician who had died of typhus contracted from low-income patients.

So Irena took action, pretending to be a nurse in order to gain access into the Warsaw ghetto and deliver food and medicine. The grimness of their fate became clearer with every passing day, as clusters were

rounded up, marched to the freight yard and shipped an hour away to Treblinka death camp. The sight of the youngest among them, toddlers carrying their dolls, haunted Irena.

She enlisted her closest friends and colleagues, mostly young women, to form a secret network for the imprisoned Jews, sneaking aide in and smuggling children out.

Irena bundled babies in garbage wagons and gave them sleeping potions to keep them quiet on the way out. Kids were directed through secret passageways into sewers, following whispers and flashlights.

Parents were forced to make “heart-rending” calculations, and

Irena who could not guarantee that their children would survive if they fled through her network. “I still have nightmares about it,” she said in a 2011 PBS documentary, tap-

ping her left index finger to her temple.

“You’re going on a wonderful adventure,” one Jewish mother explained to her son, with whom she was later reunited. “You’re going to be a good boy.”

“You’re a big girl now,” a father, who would later die, told his 10year-old. “Tomorrow you must escape from the ghetto. I can no

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longer protect you.”

Irena embraced the war-time orphans as she routed them to safe houses and then permanent homes.

“We had to give them a lot of love and attention to help them adapt to their new lives.”

Beyond the sheer bravery required of the endeavor – perhaps a byproduct of Irena’s youth – it was an act of organizational might. She coordinated each stop with pinpoint precision.

The greatest help came from Irena’s Catholic connections. She called on priests, who created fake baptismal certificates for the Jewish children. They were taught Catholic prayers so they could demonstrate non-Jewish heritage under possible Nazi interrogation.

Despite the grave risk, some 200 Polish convents opened their doors to the kids.

The sights, sounds and smells of Mass comforted Piotr Zettinger, who was 4 when he left his parents in the ghetto. “For this hungry, bedraggled boy,” he told PBS, “taking part in these beautiful and uplifting ceremonies was quite wonderful.”

The nuns were always on guard for German inspections. Given their cue, Piotr would run to the attic and hide in a cupboard.

Miraculously, the system worked. All the Jewish kids placed in convents through Irena’s network survived the war. In total, Irena saved the lives of about 2,500 children.

She lived to be 98 and never considered herself a hero. “It was simple,” she said. “I remember what my father had taught me: ‘When someone is drowning, give him your hand.’”

The Holy Father issues the same challenge again and again, beginning with his inaugural homily when he called us to be “protectors of one another.” We can do so, Pope Francis said, by being “constantly attentive to God.” This month would mark Irena’s 105th birthday. Our worlds may be vastly different, but we can honor her memory by treating our neighbors with the same compassion.

It is simple.

Christina Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and the editor of NationalCatholicSistersWeek.org.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

“Discover Mercy”on March 14th not ask in front of their daughters and vice versa. Discover Mercy is a wonderful opportunity for younger girls to see the school and participate in activities in the actual classrooms, meet new friends and mingle with our Mercy Ambassadors.”

To register for the program visit www.mercyhigh.com and click on the registration link found on the home page. For more information, contact Mrs. Diane Santostefano, Director of Admissions at 860-3466659 or dsantostefano@mercyhigh.com.

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“Discover Mercy,” the morning program offered for fifth, sixth and seventh grade girls and their parents will be held on Saturday morning, March 14 at Mercy High School in Middletown from 9am to 1 pm.

The program allows the girls and their parent or guardian to have a first look at Mercy by enjoying activities, student performances and informal conversations with Mercy students, parents, administrators and faculty.

During this event, girls have the opportunity to spend time in the classrooms with faculty and students while attending “classes” such as Introduction to Italian, Chemistry of Tie-Dyeing, Creative Writing, Field Hockey Clinic, Cheerleading Clinic, Design your own Fashion Accessory, “Goods of Conscious,” Lip Gloss Lab, Mercy Dance Team, Robotics, and Mini Mock Trial. Meanwhile, parents may attend an informal question and answer session and participate in programs designed especially for them. Following the morning program, everyone is invited to lunch in the cafeteria and experience a performance by the “Choralations,” Mercy’s Show Choir. Mercy Student Ambassadors are available to lead tours of the school at any time during the morning, including a stop at the school store!

Diane Santostefano, Director of Admissions commented, “We have received great feedback on having the two sessions – one for the girls and one for the parents. Parents can freely ask questions that they may

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Four County Catholic February 2015

by Karen H Whiting

Did You Know?

February 2 Feb 2 Candlemas is the day we remember that Jesus was presented at the Temple. Read about it in Luke 2:21-35. Ask your parents when they first took you to church.

February 14 Valentine’s Day and World Marriage Day. Celebrate love in your family.

February 18 Ash Wednesday. The ashes on your forehead are a sign of penance. They are a reminder that people die and that we are sorry for our sins. We are also thankful Jesus chose to die for us.

February 22 February 22nd is a feast day for the Chair of St Peter. Peter was one of the disciples of Jesus, one of his special buddies. He was also the first pope. Read some of what he wrote in 1 Peter.

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Disciples Word Search

A

February 18 is Ash Wednesday and the start of lent. Circle symbols of lent. Check out the verses to see how they relate to Jesus. Chat about them during lent. Decorate a Lenten tree with the symbols (cut from paper or use little toys).

Bowl

Matthew 27: 24-28

Nail Cross

lues

John 20:25 Hebrews 12:2 & John 19:17-18

Thorn

John 19:2,5

Purple cloth

Mark 15: 16-20

Ash

Matthew 11:21

Rooster

Luke 22:54-65

Ear

Luke 22:50-51

Sponge

John 19:28-30

Pray

Mark 14:35-39

Lamb

1 Peter 1:19 & John 1:36

Heart

John 3:16

Dice

John 19:23-24

Kiss

Matthew 26:47-4

Silver coins

Matthew 26: 14-16

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Four County Catholic February 2015

Millions Turn Out for Pope Francis Manila, Philippines - A crowd estimated at a record 6 million people by officials poured into Manila’s rain-soaked streets and its biggest park as Pope Francis ended his Asian pilgrimage with an appeal for Filipinos to protect their young from sin and vice so they can instead become missionaries of the faith.

The crowd estimate, which could not be independently verified, included people who attended the pope’s final Mass in Rizal Park and surrounding areas, and lined his motorcade route, said the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Francis Tolentino.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the Vatican had received the figure officially from local authorities and that it was a record, surpassing the 5 million who turned out for St. John Paul II’s final Mass in the same park in 1995.

Francis dedicated the final homily of his weeklong Asia trip, which began in Sri Lanka, to children, given that the Mass fell on an important feast day honoring the infant Jesus. His focus was a reflection of the importance that the Vatican places on Asia as the future of the church since it’s one of the places where Catholic numbers are growing - and on the Philippines as the largest Catholic nation in the region.

“We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected,” Francis said in his homily. “And we need to care for our young people, not allowing them to be robbed of hope and condemned to a life on the streets.”

Francis made a triumphant entry into Rizal Park, riding on a popemobile based on the design of a jeepney, the modified U.S. Army World War II jeep that is a common means of public transport here. He wore the same cheap, plastic yellow rain poncho handed out to the masses during his visit to the typhoon-hit eastern city of Tacloban a day earlier.

The crowd - a sea of humanity in colorful rain ponchos spread out across the 148 acres of parkland and boulevards surrounding it - erupted in shrieks of joy when he drove by, a reflection of the incredible resonance Francis’ message about caring for society’s most marginal has had in a country where about a quarter of its 100 million people live in poverty.

“It was a blessing that we saw him. Even if we were soaked by the rain, we feel fine,” said Emmie Toreras, 38, who was wearing a garbage bag to guard against the rain. She said she had slept in the park since Friday to score a view of the pope. “He loves the poor and people like us,” said Toreras, whose husband, a rags vendor, stayed home to work.

Francis dedicated his four-day trip to the Philippines to the poor and marginal. He denounced the corruption that has robbed them of a dignified life, visited with street children and traveled to Tacloban to offer prayers for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadly 2013 storm that devastated one of the Philippines’ poorest regions.

Earlier Sunday, Francis drew a huge crowd to Manila’s Catholic university, where he came close to tears himself hearing two rescued street children speak of their lives growing up poor and abandoned.

The pope ditched his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff in his native Spanish to respond to 12year-old Glyzelle Palomar, who wept as she asked Francis why children suffer so much. Palomar, a former street child rescued by a church-run foundation, told him of children who are abandoned or neglected by their parents and end up on the streets using drugs or in prostitution.

“Why is God allowing something like this to happen, even to innocent children?” Palomar asked through tears. “And why are there so few who are helping us?”

A visibly moved Francis said he had no answer. “Only when we are

able to cry are we able to come close to responding to your question,” he said.

“Those on the margins cry. Those who have fallen by the wayside cry.

Those who are discarded cry,” the pope said. “But those who are living a life that is more or less without need, we don’t know how to cry.”

And he added: “There are some realities that you can only see through eyes that have been cleansed by tears.”

A steady rain from the same tropical storm that forced Francis to cut short his visit to Tacloban fell on the crowd, but it didn’t seem to dampen spirits of Filipinos who streamed into the capital for his final day.

In his homily, Francis urged the crowd to protect their children from sin, alcohol and gambling, saying the devil “distracts us with the

promise of ephemeral pleasures, superficial pastimes.”

“Filipinos are called to be outstanding missionaries of the faith in Asia,” he said.

Bracing for huge crowds, the government put out a public service announcement warning the elderly, pregnant women and children against coming to the event. They urged the crowd to carry their things in transparent plastic bags since they’d be easier to inspect. An appeal to use raincoats rather than umbrellas went unheeded.

Rommel Monton, a 28-year-old call center agent, said he was struck

by Francis’ willingness to practice what he preaches, particularly as it concerns the poor.

“He doesn’t want to be treated as someone special. Look at his vehicles, they are not bullet-proof: He wanted them to be open so that he

can feel he is close to the people,” he said. “How will you be able to protect your followers if you are not with them, if you are afraid to show yourself, to stand behind them or stand before them?”

Francis sought to stand with one Filipino family struck by tragedy during his visit: He spent 20 minutes Sunday meeting with the father of Kristel Padasas, a volunteer with Catholic Relief Services, who died Saturday in Tacloban when scaffolding fell on her. Witnesses said a sudden gust of wind toppled the structure, which had served as a platform for a large loudspeaker during the Mass.

The father was overwhelmed by the loss but was “consoled thinking that she had helped prepare the meeting of the people with the pope,” said Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman.

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Four County Catholic February 2015

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